Child’s measles death is New York’s first in 30 years

A child in rural northern New York has died after contracting measles, state officials announced on Monday, marking the state’s first death linked to the disease in 30 years. Governor Kathy Hochul said the child died in Lewis county, about 93 miles, or 150km, north of Syracuse.

Hochul expressed grief over the death and criticised the federal government’s approach to immunisation. In a statement, she described the loss as a reminder of the consequences of weakening protections against preventable illnesses. She accused Washington of deliberately undermining progress made over decades to protect Americans from such diseases.

The death comes amid a sharp increase in measles infections nationwide. By late October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had recorded 4,588 cases across the US in 2026, more than twice the total for 2025. Pennsylvania reported 1,338 cases on the same day, while South Carolina and Utah each reported more than 500 cases in outbreaks also identified by the CDC.

The national and state figures for deaths differ. The CDC has confirmed three deaths associated with measles in the US this year, but reports from state health departments indicate higher totals. Pennsylvania health officials alone have reported six deaths during the year.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to serious health complications. Fatal cases are uncommon, but approximately one to three people die for every 1,000 cases. The US halted domestic transmission in 2000 through sustained high vaccination rates. Coverage has since declined below the 95% level needed to prevent outbreaks.

Hochul declared a disaster emergency in early October in response to measles cases in neighbouring states and rural parts of New York. The declaration preceded Monday’s announcement of the child’s death and introduced measures to make vaccination and testing more widely available.

Under the executive order, paramedics, midwives and other additional groups were permitted to administer measles vaccines. The order also expanded authority to request testing, allowing nurses to order tests alongside doctors.

Federal vaccination policy has undergone substantial changes under Robert F Kennedy Jr, secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has faced criticism over comments about some vaccines. His policy changes have included reducing childhood immunisation recommendations by a third.